Happy Halloween, and get your Poppy!

     Happy Halloween! Today is all about enjoying today however you Celebrate, and just one more tiny thing. 

     Go get your poppy. So here is the deal, while we've been doing some major Christmas planning, quite often Christmas, or getting ready for Christmas too early is kind of viewed as the enemy of Remembrance Day. While I start early when it comes to decorating for Christmas, I really enjoy my house decorated, and decorating, so I do start early. Here is the thing, I make sure I respect the day, the moment of silence and realize, that moment isn't much to ask considering what people have done and sacrificed for us to live the life we get to live. So, that little poppy, not a lot to ask, make sure you get yours and wear it with pride

    

Movies and Music

   

     Here is another fun one for you, time to get your Christmas movies and music ready! I don't know about you but I actually have a ton of Christmas movies, and I give myself permission to watch them starting November 1st, because honestly I probably wouldn't get through them all if I didn't. 

     Before I keep going on this post, I do want to touch on what for some can be a heated topic, Christmas stuff starting before Remembrance Day. Let me start by stating there will be 2 posts in this series devoted to Remembrance day,  and I do very much recognize it. I 100% believe people should recognize it and respect what people have done so we can live in the free and wonderful country we live in. I will enjoy my music and movies before that holiday, wear my poppy with pride, and start decorating after we have taken that moment of silence. 

     Onto Holiday music. I have 2 cd's (yes cd's) one is Boney M and it's the only cd I will listen to while I wrap gifts. My other one is all oldies, like Sinatra. This year my plan is to also make a playlist for my phone...maybe on cd if I have some kickin around so I don't kill my battery. So that's actually the project I'm working on now. Your mission, should you choose to take it :) 

My Vent about Sunday's Walking Dead Episode

   

     I'm actually shocked it's taking me this long to talk about the Walking Dead Season Premier. Part of it being I was still in recovery, another being I hate to be the one spoiling the episode if you hadn't gotten to it yet (guess what time's up), and also I typically need to mentally analyze the episode too.

     On that note here we go. Let me stress too, that I find watching Talking Dead very therapeutic, and this one especially. So we know that there was not one, but two deaths Sgt. Abraham Ford, and the lovable pizza boy Glenn Rhee. Rumors had been swirling for months that it was going to be more than one character. Being that most of my friends are reminded of me at the mere mention of zombies, this was a discussion I had more than once, and it really was only my duel fandom friends who understood, and thought my opinion was rather valid. My initial thought was the two we lost. Why? When I say duel fandom, I mean not just friends who watch the show, but those who read the comic too. In issue 100 of the comic, Glenn meets his end at the end of Negan's bat just like in the show... actually the makeup artistry was crazy close to the final frame of Mr. Rhee(kudos Nicotero). It was one of those iconic moments a comic fan waits for, like back when Bob screamed out "Tainted Meat" at the Terminus crew. Walking Dead 100% delivered on that. PS, though I adore Daryl, I'm a little sour at the moment, because I DO blame him for Glenn's death. Once the rumors of two deaths started swirling, I immediately thought Abraham. Why? In last season's episode titled Twice as Far, we lost Dr.Denise Cloyd. Relevance? The fashion in which the good Doctor dies was the end that Abraham meets in the comic. So comic fans realized that Sgt. Ford was, as Michael Cudlitz put it, "Living on borrowed time".

     While I shed my tears, as I have for everyone of our beloved characters (even Merle) since we lost Dale in season 2, I can't say I was surprised. What did surprise me, was when watching two characters get their skulls caved in was actually the easier part of the episode to watch. What happened to the living seemed to be much worse, it ended quickly for those who died. The survivors were at it all night, which we watched the mental and emotional breakdown of our fearless leader.

     Let me tell you, I don't flinch from the gore of this show. One of my favorite walker kills to this day remains when Daryl crushed the head of one in a hatchback trunk. However one part of the episode did turn my stomach, when Rick was given the choice of the lives of his group, or chopping off his own child's arm. The Carl haters better recognize the heroism in this kid when he gave his father permission. Fortunately it didn't come to that, this was when Negan was sure, he had broken Rick.

     The brutality of the episode was some times hard to watch, but that's what we as fans signed up for when we pledged our loyalty to the fandom. Fortunately for our hearts, Scott Gimple has promised us a more lighthearted episode this Sunday. It goes back to the the Walking Dead slogan, "Fight the dead, Fear the Living

All the little gifts you may have forgotten

     If you haven't started this part for gift shopping yet, now is the time. Start watching out for sales on gifts that would be good for Teachers, Secret Santas, your Mailman, maybe a family exchange, things like that. Have them now, so you're avoiding the holiday rush, and if you have more than you need, cool, you have them on hand should you need them another time. Here are a couple ideas for you.

     1. Gift cards, let's be honest, most people have things like Tim's cards ready to go, or here is one most people would also find useful a gas card. I've gone to costco and grabbed movie passes in the past as well.

     2. Chocolates. Unless you know some one who actually can't have chocolates, this is typically a safe bet. I usually have more boxes than I need every year...oh darn...

     3. Blankets, we are getting into the chilly seasons, and some times throws go on for a great price

Just a couple of ideas to get you moving on the ones that pop up and surprise you!

A Wardrobe Experiment after one week

 
  If you didn't check out my Original post explaining my wardrobe experiment, check it out here.


    I'm just over a week of doing this experiment, and I think it's going well. I'm basically checking in today to kind of show you what I've learned so far, and my plans with this going forward.

    1. I like layers. There hasn't been an outfit I haven't thought out layers. There was one with a pull over sweater and I added a jacket and a blanket scarf. This is kind of making me understand why I NEVER feel put together in the summer, I wouldn't be able to reach for layers, or I would roast

    2. I like basics. There hasn't been anything overly trendy here. All of it is stuff I could carry over from one season to another. I currently have a drawer that is basically only white t-shirts and tank tops (and heavy socks), doing his post, it actually makes a lot of sense now.

    3. I've pinned FAR fewer items than I expected. As I write this, I'm on Day 8, and have 34 pins. While that may sound like a lot remember, I'm including, tops, and like layers. I'm including bottoms, jewelry, scarves, handbag, jackets and shoes. One outfit could potentially have like 8 items. Doing the math, I could potentially have 64 items here, 34 is low!

    4.There are quite a few things I own that I thought I'd grab all the time, but I haven't really gone for them in this post. I have 2 leather jackets. I have just today used one on the board, and I didn't even pick a colour I own. I have SEVERAL handbags, I've picked one this entire time. I also have dozens of earrings I'm at 3, a lot of boots...you get the picture.

    5.There are a several key pieces I already own I keep going for. Of the 34 pieces I have pinned so far, I own 16 of them, or a variation of it (and when I pinned the item, I had mine in my head). That's just less than half, so I was already on the right track.

    Doing this for one week as me wondering if perhaps I should do it for four weeks instead of just the two. Two seems like it might limit me, four gives me a lot more wiggle room. Either way, I'll keep you posted.

Planning The fun stuff!

     Hopefully you haven't found too much of the stuff we're ticking off the list, to be a chore. If it has, know that this one, is a fun one! We're talking about different events you want to check out.

     This is things like parades, Christmas sales, tree lighting, Christmas concerts, checking out lighting displays. 

     So these are things that may have made their way onto your master list of things you want to do this season, I know they're on mine, and yes, these are popping up now. Our parade and our biggest Christmas Bazaar are coming up, other odd ones may pop up too. Time to figure out which ones you want to make it to.

     The other thing to keep in mind are which of these might be events for you. I know when we go to the parade, I like to come home and watch a Christmas movie and hot chocolate too. Plan for these things too. 

Prepare for Guests, PS you forgot some food!

     As I've mentioned in the past, my posts about preparing for Christmas this year, is a trail run. While I've received a bunch of positive feedback, and likely will do it again next year, this year I'm trying to organize my blog. So while I sit here helping you organize your holiday, I'm also doing the blog thing. I stress this today especially because I'm covering like 2-3 things, and their kind of all over the map...let's get started shall we?

     We've already covered, figuring out who is coming for Christmas this year. I know in my house, we'll have at the very least, my Mother and Father in-law and their dog Riley. So I need to make sure I'm set to accommodate them. What you need to do first off is, clean out the linen closet! figure out what needs to go, what needs to be replaced, and if you just need more to make sure everyone is covered. I have no worries for little Riley, Alice has used enough of our old towels, we can surely spare one or two for the little guy. So you're going to want to make sure you have bedding, towels, and maybe some extra toiletries in case some one forgets something (because lets be honest, some one always forgets something). Also now is a good time to clean out the coat closet, so their is room for everyone in there.

     Here we go switching gears. Remember looking back when I told you to think of all the food you might need and add it to the list. If you 100% thought of everything, good job, I know I didn't. I forgot small things like when we put up the Christmas lights, I'd like to have hot chocolate and some treat after...better get myself together for that. Putting up the tree, or decorating the rest of the house, well there are things I'd like to do for food there too... Going to a parade? A concert? anything like that, if food plays a role in it, prepare now. I also know I haven't even begun to take into consideration baking, and making my Aunt's Chex mix (which I've told her more than once she could legit give me just that in a big bag for Christmas and I would be thrilled). It's time to start looking at the overlooked and prepare accordingly.

   

A Wardrobe Experiment

     This is actually not a Christmas post! WHAAAAAT?! No that will be tomorrow. Instead, this post is about another thing I'm super into, pinterest...ish. Okay so most people who use it on the regular get it's draw, and have probably spent some hours on it. I actually check Pinterest in the morning BEFORE Facebook, e-mail...most days before coffee. Pinterest has been a very useful tool to me, from questions about my dog, to my unhealthy Walking Dead addiction. For women one of the most used boards are outfits, and wishlists...along with health, beauty, home decor,and recipes (nailed it right).

     One concept I've learned from Pinterest is going as minimal as possible when it comes to your wardrobe. I think most are guilty of having things in their closet you don't wear, either because it doesn't fit, and you want it to, or it looked pretty in the store, but just isn't your style. I'm far more guilty of the later.

    Finally getting to the point of this post, why am I telling you all of this? Because I'm doing a little experiment to better get to know my own sense of style, and perhaps add some things to my wishlist. Basically what I'm doing is getting up in the morning, and figuring out what I want to wear without the limits of my closet. Instead, I'm getting a visual in my mind, maybe I look at pinterest for a little inspiration, and I figure out what I would LOVE to wear right now, today! That's step one, step two is going to different store websites, that I frequently shop and finding each piece to make up the outfit and pin it. I'm playing with the inspiration a little to fit what I would be comfortable in. If you'd like to check out the board this it the link here. I'll be sharing this post on all my Social media outlets, probably a few times over. If it's something you'd like to try yourself, I encourage you to do it, it may be helpful, it might not be, either way I'm having fun with it.

Not Decking the Halls, Just getting them ready

      As far as what I've been up to with planning and prepping, I've been getting my home made gifts done. I've also been working away at home repairs and things of that nature. And we officially know we are going to have some guests, and that's actually part of an upcoming post.

     Today's post is actually about Holiday decor. Now, anyone who hates early decorators just stopped in their tracks. As far as I'm concerned, decorate when makes you happy. I am and early decorator, some parts for practical reasons, some for my own enjoyment. But by no means am I asking you to start decorating today...no that's early for even me.

     What I am asking is you go into the area where you have your holiday decor, and inventory it. What is great about doing this is, you have an idea of what all you have, I know I forget if there was something new from last year. On the flip side, if you're like me, and have way too much Christmas stuff, you might be able to look at this list and purge some of it.  I was able to purge about a third of what I had last year, and it helped out a friend.

      The main reason we're making this list though is to get ideas of where we want to put things when we DO decorate, and what things we might need. I moved into my first house this year, you can bet as a self proclaimed Christmas FREAK, my wheels have been turning since the first time I laid eyes on my house. That's your latest assignment should you choose to accept.

     One more thing, I'm attempting to get this blog series far more organized,and on an ACTUAL schedule. Remember this year is kind of a trail run for me. On that note though, expect the next post on Friday!
   

A couple things and a Thanksgiving

 After a much longer hiatus than I would have liked, I’m back to sharing my preparation process for Christmas. Since my last post, I’ve been up to a lot in my planning process, and hope to cover a few different things in this post.

                I’ve covered home made gifts in past posts, and that’s something I was working on. Another thing that’s important to get now is anything you need to order online, or from a catalogue. Waiting too long will cost you more, because you’ll have to rush the delivery, or worse, you won’t get it in time at all.    

                You need to take into consideration what home projects you need to complete before Christmas, time for another list. Do you need to paint? Repair a toilet? Have the carpets cleaned? Make a list, and haul out the calendar, because this is where time budgeting is key. Give yourself a cut off date, when you’d like to have it all done. Now budget your time accordingly, and make appointments as needed. Putting it off means you’re rushing later.

                The last thing I’ll add to the list for today is Enjoy your Thanksgiving, if you’re celebrating today or tomorrow, remember to give thanks for all that you’re fortunate to have.